Gender Land Tenure Specialist (Mid Level)

Position Title:            Gender Land Tenure Specialist (Mid Level)

Status:                        Regular, Full Time

Location:                    Seattle or Washington DC

Classification:           Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime Pay)

Date:                           May 2016

Job Summary:  Within a variety of country contexts, the Gender and Land Tenure Specialist provides policy, analytical and program implementation expertise on women’s land rights, including access to property and inheritance, rural land tenure security, access to land, land rights formalization, land markets, land administration and management, and resolution of land and related disputes with a focus on impacts on women and their families. The Specialist will provide technical inputs related to women’s rights and gender; support integrating gender expertise across programs and projects; and participate in global advocacy efforts around women’s land rights, including linking land rights to other human rights and related fields such as gender-based violence, health, food security, agricultural productivity and natural resource management, and climate change.

The Specialist conducts gender-based analyses (both from the desk and in the field), drafts research and briefing papers, advisory memos, training modules, presentations, advocacy materials, and other products. In a complementary manner, the Specialist manages related assignments, projects, and tasks, and also contributes to the pursuit of private donor funding, fee-for-service opportunities, and public sector grants. The Specialist will be responsible for collaborating with a number of individuals, teams, and partnerships across the organization and in external networks and coalitions.

Reporting and relationships: The Specialist will report to the Global Director of the Landesa Center for Women’s Land Rights (LCWLR) and will work closely with other directors as required by particular task assignments.

Availability:  The Specialist will be expected to work a standard workweek of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. The position requires significant international travel (average of 60-80 days per year).

Essential Job Functions:                

• Performs gender-sensitive research, analysis, and synthesis of topics and issues related to Landesa’s work on gender and women’s land rights.
• Undertakes and, at times, supervises fieldwork (e.g., rapid rural appraisal, key informant interviews, public meetings, workshops, surveys) to gather information about current land tenure conditions and the prospects for reform and implementation with specific focus on outcomes for women and their families.
• Makes policy, program, and project recommendations that are practical, useful, and realistic, given country realities and resources.
• Provides technical inputs related to women’s rights and gender, supports integrating gender expertise across programs and projects, and ensures gender analysis is thoughtfully integrated at all stages of projects.
• Support advocacy efforts to elevate women’s land rights in national, regional, and international fora; represents Landesa in external presentations and conferences.
• Collaborates with foreign government officials, other counterpart country nationals, civil society actors, and international aid agencies in the work.
• Manages relations and collaborates with donors, fee-for-service clients, and public sector grantors. Prepares and reviews reports for these funders on a regular basis.
• Contributes to the expansion and/or development of Center programs and projects.
• Collaborates with Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Team to collect program data, in order to monitor activities and identify problem areas; takes corrective steps as needed to achieve program and project objectives.
• Contributes to internal learning objectives by sharing gender analysis, research methods, and findings with other Landesa staff, including making presentations.
• Assists the Communications and Development Departments in preparing and presenting funding, educational, and communications materials.
• Manages projects in conformance with Landesa procedures on budgeting, human resource allocation and work planning, cost monitoring and control, monitoring travel schedules, and product preparation and delivery.
• Performs other management and administrative tasks as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A deep commitment to the mission of a better, safer future for the world’s poorest people through secure access to land and the critical importance of land rights for women.
• Dedication and persistence working in a mission-driven environment as a constructive, solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with a range of people at all levels, with humility, respect, and a focus on the results.
• Research, analysis, synthesis, reasoning, and writing abilities that have been developed to a level that permits the Specialist to work independently and take leadership on Landesa projects.
• Knowledge of international and regional standards on women’s rights and gender equality and demonstrated experience identifying gender-based and intersectional constraints to accessing and claiming rights, particularly as relevant to land, property, and inheritance; ability to analyze gender impact of gender-neutral laws and to craft legal arguments for gender equality.
• Candidates familiar with customary land tenure systems and issues as they affect women in Africa, India, and/ or China will receive special consideration.
• Experience with advocacy initiatives or campaigns and/or working in broad-based coalitions, highly desired. Ability to develop concrete work plans and manage tasks, funds, products, and other elements so that work is performed according to agreed budgets, schedules, delivery requirements, and staffing plans.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work collaboratively as a member of teams: has sensitivity and ability to establish respect, credibility, and trust at all levels in a multicultural organization, regardless of role within the team; has consensus building, communication, and leadership skills; and has ability to partner with staff, stakeholder partners, and donors.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other software.

Education and Experience:

• A graduate or professional degree in law, gender studies, international development, sociology, geography, anthropology, or related field, required. JD or LLM preferred.
• A minimum of 3-5 years’ relevant international development work experience, engaging in legal and policy research, or advocacy and in the design and implementation of projects, including significant focus on the types of land issues mentioned above, required.
• Field experience highly preferred. Prior work experience with USAID, the World Bank, or other multi/bi-lateral donor, desired.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required for U.S.-based posts.

Work Environment and Working Conditions for Travelers: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to working conditions and hazards which are prevalent for the location and/or country of assignment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Work is primarily performed indoors with some potential for exposure to safety and health hazards related to electronics work.  The employee may be required to travel overseas and domestically.  When traveling, the employee may be exposed to:  physical hazards (illnesses, noise, extreme temperatures, wet or humid climates, etc.) road hazards (unfinished/dirt roads, potholes, traffic-related accidents, etc.), and atmospheric conditions (odors, dust, fumes, smog, etc.).

Additional Comments:  The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.  Lastly, hiring of position is contingent on approved funding for the new fiscal year.

To Apply: Qualified candidates may apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to jobs@landesa.org, with the title “GLTSMid – L” in the subject line.  Please specify in your cover letter your location preference or if you are open to relocating.  No phone calls please. Landesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Read the original posting here.